Campus Times
December 10, 2004
With roughly 30 majors and minors in the department, students and faculty of the music department plan to establish a chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, a national music fraternity, at the University of La Verne to promote music awareness and education.
Mu Phi Epsilon was founded in 1903 at the Metropolitan College of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is open only to music majors and minors.
Currently, the Greek organization has 136 collegiate chapters, including two in the Philippines and one in Canada, 74 alumni chapters and more than 75,000 members.
Mu Phi Epsilon started out as a sorority to advance the importance of music in America. It became an honor society in 1936 and in 1977 the professional music fraternity became co-ed due to the Title nine of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.
According to the national Web site, Mu Phi Epsilon is an “International Music Fraternity whose purpose are the recognition of scholarship and musicianship and the promotion of friendship.”
The organization’s focus is the advancement of music on a global scale, through the promotion of musicianship loyalty to the Alma Mater.
Mu Phi Epsilon is also a member of the National Interfraternity Music Council, the Professional Fraternity Association and the National Interfraternity Foundation.
Renee Soliz, a senior music major, is one of the two music students who are leading the establishment.
“Mu Phi Epsilon will be a wonderful addition to our growing music department,” Soliz said.
Even though they have not directly started the chapter because it takes around six to eight weeks to fully establish a chapter.
Unlike other social Greek organizations, Mu Phi Epsilon does not include a rush or pledge period. Instead, interested members learn about the organization and its history in three weeks. If they pass the test,they are initiated into the organization.
Students must also complete one semester of music theory before joining.
“It’s crucial to know where the organization came from and how it got started,” Soliz said.
The organization will bring work opportunities, performance opportunities and scholarships for those who are members. The organization is recognized for having a vast alumni of well-known musicians.
Soliz predicts that the chapter will be up and running by this coming spring semester.
“It is a good way for music majors and minors to network,” she said.
The closest chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon is at USC in Los Angeles.
“We want a society of our own,” said Eva Hinojoza, a junior music major, and another music student leading the establishment of the chapter.
“I think Mu Phi Epsilon will make the music department noticeable,” Hinojoza said.
Members of the ULV chapter will put on campus events featuring members of the fraternity and promote the music department’s concert series. They also plan to feature guest artists and put on student concerts of their original work.
“We have a great music series and Mu Phi Epsilon will help promote it throughout campus,” Hinojoza said.
Kathleen Lamkin, professor of music at ULV, joined Mu Phi Epsilon when she was an undergraduate student at Baylor University in Texas.
“Hopefully it will get other students excited about music,” Lamkin said. “It is a good opportunity to bring all music students together.”
Dana Mcjunkin, 20, is a liberal studies major with a music minor at ULV and is very interested in joining the organization.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for [ULV] to network further with a national organization,” she said. “It will let La Verne’s name get out there in the music business further.”
“The focus of Mu Phi Epsilon isn’t a social factor,” said Soliz. “It’s about music students coming together and working together to promote music.”
For more information of ULV’s plans to establish a chapter or on the organization, contact the music department at Ext. 4921 or log onto the national Web site at home.muphiepsilon.org.
Hugo Bryan Castillo can be reached at hcastill@ulv.edu.